Abstract: In one example embodiment, a system and method are shown for receiving data that include a time stamp. The system and method also include building an Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) cube that includes a dimension, the dimension acting as a schema for the data that include the time stamp. The system and method may also include populating the OLAP cube with an object, the object including the data and the time stamp as at least one attribute. The system and method may also include storing the OLAP cube.

Abstract: An electronic device operative to monitor and control processes and operations based on the power cost of those processes and operations are provided. The electronic device can identify processes or networked devices requiring power, determine the expected amount of power required for the process or networked device, and calculate the cost of the power requirement. For example, the electronic device can receive data or algorithms defining the manner in which a power supplier computes the cost of consumed power, and predict the expected cost of the particular power requirement. Based on the importance of the process or device, and the expected power cost, the electronic device can perform a process or provide power to a networked device, or alternatively delay or cancel a process to ensure that the power cost of the device remains within preset boundaries (e.g., the power cost of the device or of a home network of devices does not exceed a maximum cap).

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an avatar engine having a controller to retrieve a user profile of a user, present the user an avatar having characteristics that correlate to the user profile, detect one or more responses of the user during a communication exchange between the avatar and the user, identify from the one or more responses a need to engage in an e-commerce transaction, engage in a commercial exchange with a merchant system according to the e-commerce transaction, identify a commercial status of the e-commerce transaction from the commercial exchange with the merchant system, and present the user by way of the avatar the commercial status of the e-commerce transaction. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method that includes receiving, from one or more motion sensors in a device, data describing a signature arc in three-dimensional space, the signature arc having been generated by gesturing using the device; identifying, from the data describing the gestured signature arc, a plurality of points that correspond to the gestured signature arc in three-dimensional space; generating a curve along the identified plurality of points corresponding to the gestured signature arc; generating a two-dimensional representation of the gestured signature arc; and displaying, on a display screen, the generated two-dimensional representation of the gestured signature arc.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing payments. An invoice is generated based on a first invoice detail from a first participant and the generated invoice is displayed to a second participant. The system receives a modification of the first invoice detail from the second participant along with a comment associated with the modification. The first invoice detail, the modification, and the comment are stored to the computer readable memory and a payment between the participants is facilitated based at least in part on the modification.

Abstract: The present invention relates particularly to a method and system for consolidating a plurality of a consumer's payment and non-payment source accounts into a consolidated platform with a customer identification or available proxy account numbers that can be assigned to source accounts. The source accounts can be, for example, credit card accounts, ATM accounts, debit card accounts, demand deposit accounts, stored-value accounts, merchant-loyalty card accounts, membership accounts, and identification card numbers. The consumer can access and modify any of the source accounts and manage funds across the source accounts by accessing the consolidated platform with a single access device or mode.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for transferring receipt data to a computing device corresponding to a customer. The method may include initiating a transaction at a point-of-sale system. During the transaction, a computer system comprising the point-of-sale system, may collect receipt data documenting the transaction. The computer system may generate a barcode unique to the transaction and comprising encoded data. Once the transaction has been completed, the computer system may present the barcode to the customer. This may be done via a printed receipt, a customer-facing display, or the like. Using the encoded data, the computer system may deliver the receipt data to a computing device in the possession of the customer. For example, the encoded data may comprise the receipt data. Alternatively, the encoded data may comprise a URL directing the computing device to a resource system from which the receipt data may be downloaded.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for the automated management of financial resources. Manufacturer item data is received and processed to parse a manufacturer item identifier and any associated product item identifiers, which are then added to a repository of budget category, manufacturer item, and purchase item data if they are not already present. Purchase item transaction data is received and processed to parse individual purchase item identifiers (IDs) and their associated purchase item data. The purchase item data corresponding to the purchase item identifier, which in turn corresponds to a manufacturer item identifier, is then associated with a default or user-defined budget category identifier. If a user decides to modify existing purchase item ID and budget category ID associations, then a purchase item ID association is selected, followed by the selection of a target budget category ID.

Abstract: A system may perform steps such as receiving a bank card transaction authorization stream including a URL originating from the merchant computing system, the URL received in a discretionary field in the authorization stream for a bank card purchase. The system further perform the step of retrieving information at a location referenced by the URL, wherein the information includes at least a merchant identifier and line item data related to a purchase. The system may additionally attaching the retrieved data to the transaction to create a complete description of the transaction analyze the complete description of the transaction for creating at least one customer interface for the customer and at least one merchant interface for the merchant based on the analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for detecting and communicating the position of a pusher assembly on a shelf. In an embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and a laser scanner. The laser scanner is configured to transmit a swept beam to a mirrored reflective surface located behind the pusher assembly. The control module analyzes the laser beam at the laser scanner to detect the position of the pusher assembly on the shelf. In another embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and an infrared transceiver that sends and receives infrared signals. The transceiver may be located behind the pusher assembly. The control module analyzes the infrared signals to determine the position of the pusher assembly on the shelf.

Abstract: Various systems and methods that may relate to referral and/or delivery services are described. Some embodiments may include syndicating service providers for orders to a plurality of providers, in store delivery options, mobile device ordering, price arbitrage and/or other elements. Various other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A system to determine the tax consequences for one or several special apportionment accounts is described. The example system may include a data collector and an optimizer. The data collector may be configured to obtain information associated with one or more accounts, and a selection of one or more jurisdictions. The optimizer may be configured to automatically determine a suggested combination of special apportionment methods for each jurisdiction.

Abstract: A method in a computer system for selecting an efficient combination of items for placement on a merchandizing fixture, wherein each item has a respective size, and wherein each combination of items has a respective profitability metric; including electronically receiving an indication of a size of the merchandizing fixture; electronically receiving a business rule indicative of whether gaps on the merchandizing fixture are allowed; when gaps on the merchandizing fixture are allowed, automatically selecting via a computer processor a combination of items that has a highest profitability metric and that fits on the merchandizing fixture without occupying the entire merchandizing fixture; and when gaps on the merchandizing fixture are not allowed, automatically selecting via a computer processor a combination of items that has a highest profitability and occupies the entire merchandizing fixture without exceeding the size of the merchandizing fixture.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide the ability to create a single customer-operated kiosk quick service restaurant ordering system menu application which may be easily integrated with any number of different back office point of sale system implementations without compromising menu design and the customer user interface experience.

Abstract: A budget information device may include a memory and a processor cooperating with the memory for importing and storing different financial databases into the memory. Each different financial database may include numerical data and textual identifiers. The processor and memory may be for processing the numerical data and textual identifiers from the different financial databases. The processor and memory may also be for providing a GUI to a user, the GUI including views for respectively accessing the numerical data and textual identifiers for each of the different financial databases. Each view may include a cross-reference feature for accessing numerical data and textual identifiers associated to numerical data and textual identifiers in a current view.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatus and methods for collecting and manipulating transaction data. For example, presented herein is an apparatus including: a first I/O port; a second I/O port of a same type as the first I/O port, wherein the second I/O port is connected to the first I/O port such that data passed into the first I/O port is allowed to pass through the apparatus to the second I/O port unimpeded in at least a first operating mode; a processor; and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions thereon wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to: collect information passed from a first computing device connected to the first I/O port to a second computing device connected to the second I/O port, identify, from the information, transaction data; and provide, to a third computing device, the transaction data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for managing financial information. According to an embodiment, electronic purchase data is received from an electronic payment source. The received electronic purchase data is generated into one or more visual representation formats using a transformation server. Once the visual representation has been generated, the visual representation format is rendered using a display device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for a graphical dining interface are disclosed. In one aspect, a device comprises a component image processor configured to generate a representation of at least one component of an item. The device further comprises an input device configured to receive an input from a user, where the input comprises a selection of a first component. The device further comprises an item image processor configured to generate a representation of the item, where the representation of the item comprises the representation of the first component.

Abstract: Data traffic, such as wireless data traffic egressing to the Internet, is aggregated at one or more regional aggregation hubs, and a portion(s) of data traffic associated with a subscriber(s) of interest is captured at the regional aggregation hub(s). Data traffic associated with subscribers can be aggregated at an access concentrator(s) and respective public Internet Protocol (IP) addresses can be given to respective subscribers. The data traffic can be aggregated at the regional aggregation hub(s) and data traffic associated with a subscriber(s) of interest can be identified based at least in part on the public IP address(es) of the respective subscriber(s) of interest. The data traffic associated with a subscriber(s) of interest can be captured and provided to a consumer (e.g., law enforcement, service provider) who desires such data.

Abstract: A method and a system to provide real-time bidding in online auction. For example, a system may comprise a notification module to generate and transmit a notification to a client machine. The notification may be generated based on a defined end time of a selected auction. A subscription module may establish electronic communication with the client machine responsive to a subscription message received from the client machine in response to the notification. In some instances, the electronic communication is established using a push technology. An event filter may filter an event from a plurality of events related to the selected auction where the filtered event is a highest received bid in the selected auction. The filtered event may then be pushed to the client machine by the subscription module.